Breitling Honors Cycling Legends with Top Time B01 Limited Editions
Breitling has unveiled two stunning new timepieces that pay homage to Italian cycling royalty: the Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali Limited Editions.
Following the recent success of their Top Time dashboard collection at Watches & Wonders, these special edition chronographs celebrate two of cycling’s greatest rivals from the golden era of the sport.
Sporting Heritage and Horology
Coppi and Bartali dominated competitive cycling throughout the 1940s and 1950s, each claiming multiple victories in prestigious races like the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. Their legendary rivalry transcended mere competition, perhaps best symbolized by an iconic photograph capturing the two sharing a water bottle during a race—competitors who respected each other’s talent while pushing one another to greatness.
The watches brilliantly translate this sporting heritage into horological form. The Coppi edition features a white dial with striking turquoise subdials and an orange chronograph seconds hand, drawing inspiration from his bicycle’s colors.
Bartali’s version presents a sophisticated dark blue with white accents and a yellow chronograph hand, echoing his memorable racing jersey. Each timepiece is personalized with the cyclist’s signature beneath the bicompax chronograph display, adding a meaningful connection to these sporting legends.
Both models share the same robust architecture: 41mm stainless steel cases with traditional pump chronograph pushers and an oversized crown. While a smaller crown might have better accommodated the bent-wrist position common in cycling, the design remains true to Breitling’s aesthetic heritage.
Powering these commemorative pieces is Breitling’s manufacture calibre B01, a COSC-certified automatic movement with an impressive 70-hour power reserve. This high-performance engine can be appreciated through the exhibition caseback, which features a specially engraved rotor highlighting its chronometer status.
Limited to 750 pieces each, the watches are available on either a leather racing strap (£5,950) or mesh steel bracelet (£6,300). Though specifically created to honor Italian cycling heroes, these timepieces should resonate with watch enthusiasts worldwide who appreciate tales of sporting determination and excellence.
The Top Time B01 editions demonstrate Breitling’s talent for creating meaningful limited editions that celebrate sporting history while delivering exceptional mechanical performance.
Even for those without direct connections to Italian cycling heritage, these watches represent the universal appeal of athletic rivalry and human perseverance—themes that transcend national borders and speak to the competitive spirit in all of us.
With their distinctive colorways, impeccable mechanics, and compelling backstory, the Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali Limited Editions stand as fitting tributes to two cycling legends whose competitive spirit elevated both their sport and each other.
